65 Easy Diabetic Dinner Recipes Ready in 30 Minutes

Making a dinner that's healthy for people with diabetes, and delicious enough for everyone, doesn't have to take a lot of time. These easy diabetic-friendly recipes are ready in 30 minutes or less.

When you have diabetes, it can be frustrating to figure out weekly dinner recipes for yourself and your whole household. That’s why we did the hard work for you, so you won’t have to spend your time fretting about which recipes to make.

From delicious diabetic-friendly beef recipes like steak fajitas and kabobs to hearty chicken dinners, we have everything. These easy diabetic-friendly recipes are totally delicious.

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Chicken Veggie Packets

People think I went to a lot of trouble when I serve these packets. Individual aluminum foil pouches hold in the juices during baking to keep the herbed chicken moist and tender. The foil saves time and makes cleanup a breeze. —Edna Shaffer, Beulah, Michigan
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Blackened Tilapia with Zucchini Noodles

I love quick and bright meals like this easy diabetic-friendly one-skillet wonder. The way it tastes, you’d think it takes a lot more effort, but it goes from prep to dinner table in half an hour. The recipe works well with any light fish, or even shrimp. —Tammy Brownlow, Dallas, Texas
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Turkey Cabbage Stew

Chock-full of ground turkey, cabbage, carrots and tomatoes, this turkey cabbage soup delivers delicious down-home comfort on cool days. If you don’t like cabbage, replace it with chopped green peppers. Simply saute the peppers with the turkey, onion and garlic. —Susan Lasken, Woodland Hills, California
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Chinese Chicken Spaghetti

It’s hard to believe that something that comes together this easily could be tasty and lower in fat. This Chinese spaghetti is pretty zippy, but if you like it extra spicy, increase the red pepper flakes a bit. —Jenna Noel, Glendale, Arizona
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Pressure-Cooker Southwestern Pork and Squash Soup

I adapted a pork and squash stew recipe using tomatoes and southwestern-style seasonings. My husband and sons loved it, and the leftovers were even better the next day! Try it with fresh corn muffins. Plus, this tasty dish is diabetic-friendly. —Molly Andersen, Portland, Oregon
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Shrimp & Corn Stir-Fry

I make this seafood stir-fry at summer’s end when my garden is producing plenty of tomatoes, squash, garlic and corn. For a quick supper, we serve it over rice. —Lindsay Honn, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
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Quick Coq au Vin

This quick coq au vin recipe is really fabulous served with rice. I love being able to fix this gourmet dish in 30 minutes and still have it turn out so delicious. To reduce fat, I use chicken tenderloin pieces or skinless chicken breasts. —Judy VanCoetsem, Cortland, New York
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Chili Steak & Peppers

Bright and loaded with flavor, this makes a delicious diabetic-friendly dish you’ll be proud to serve. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Sausage-Topped White Pizza

I love cooking, and I learned from Nana and Mom. Pizza is easily one of my favorite dishes to prepare. I switched up this recipe to make it my own. —Tracy Brown, River Edge, New Jersey
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Spinach and Mushroom Smothered Chicken

Chicken breasts stay nice and moist tucked under a blanket of melted cheese. It’s extra special to serve but is not tricky to make. —Katrina Wagner, Grain Valley, Missouri
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Feta Garbanzo Bean Salad

This super quick garbanzo bean salad is a hit with my crowd. If there are any leftovers, which rarely happens, I pile them into pitas for lunches the next day! You can also add grilled chicken or steak to turn it into a hearty main-dish salad.—Judy Doepel, Ballston Lake, New York
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Lemon Salmon with Basil

At our house we opt for healthy foods, and this lemony salmon with basil is a knockout in the good-for-you category. We have it with asparagus or zucchini. —Shanna Belz, Prineville, Oregon
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Flavorful Grilled Pork Tenderloin

Folks can find me grilling, no matter the weather. This moist pork tenderloin has loads of flavor thanks to its special spice blend, and it doesn't get much easier to make. My wife especially likes that she doesn't have to do the cooking! —Steve Ehrhart, Villa Park, Illinois
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Loaded Mexican Pizza

My husband is a picky eater, but this healthful Mexican-style pizza has such amazing flavor that he actually looks forward to it. Leftovers taste even better the next day. —Mary Barker, Knoxville, Tennessee
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Asparagus Turkey Stir-Fry

When people try this easy diabetic-friendly dish, they ask for the recipe, just as I did when I first tasted it when visiting a friend’s home. Tossed in a delicious lemon sauce, this simple skillet dish is sure to satisfy on the busiest of nights. It’s a great way to use leftover turkey. —May Evans, Corinth, Kentucky
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Chicken & Vegetable Kabobs

In the summer, my husband and I love to cook out, especially vegetables. These kabobs not only taste delicious but look amazing, too! —Tina Oles, Nashwauk, Minnesota
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Asian Lettuce Wraps

This recipe is as tasty as the lettuce wraps found in national restaurants, but it's healthier! — Linda Rowley, Richardson, Texas
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Cod and Asparagus Bake

The lemon pulls this flavorful and healthy diabetic-friendly dish together. You can use grated Parmesan cheese instead of Romano if you’d like. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey
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Chicken Thighs with Shallots & Spinach

What could be better than an entree that comes with its own creamy vegetable side? This healthy supper goes together in no time flat and makes an eye-catching presentation. —Genna Johannes, Wrightstown, Wisconsin
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Balsamic Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes

This entree is a fantastic way to savor fresh tomatoes, especially during the warm summer months. It’s quite simple, but the sweet, tangy tomato glaze is so good. —Karen Gehrig, Concord, North Carolina
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Beef & Spinach Lo Mein

If you like a good stir-fry, this beef and spinach lo mein will definitely satisfy. I discovered the recipe at an international luncheon, and it's now a favorite go-to meal. —Denise Patterson, Bainbridge, Ohio
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Busy-Day Pork Chops

It was time to use or lose some pork chops I had in the fridge, so I dressed them in bread crumbs and Parmesan and baked them up. Necessity sure is the mother of invention, and in this case I invented an amazing healthy pork chop recipe. —Dee Maltby, Wayne, Ohio
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Broiled Cod

This is the easiest and tastiest fish you'll serve. Even finicky eaters who think they don't like fish will love it because it lacks a fishy taste and is beautiful and flakey. —Kim Russell, North Wales, Pennsylvania
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Mediterranean Pork and Orzo

On a really busy day, this meal in a bowl is one of my top picks. It's quick to put together, leaving a lot more time to relax at the table. —Mary Relyea, Canastota, New York
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Sausage Zucchini Skillet

I began serving a version of this dish as a side with grilled salmon. I added sausage and rice—or noodles—to make a complete meal-in-one. —Debby Abel, Flat Rock, North Carolina
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Cashew Chicken with Ginger

There are lots of recipes for cashew chicken, but my family thinks this one stands alone. We love the flavor from the fresh ginger and the crunch of the cashews. Another plus is it's easy to prepare. —Oma Rollison, El Cajon, California
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Green Pepper Steak

For a delicious, fast meal, try this flavorful beef dinner loaded with tomatoes and peppers. What a perfect recipe to use garden vegetables of the season! —Emmalee Thomas, Laddonia, Missouri
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Tortilla Pie

My husband and I enjoy this southwestern take on lasagna because it’s not as dense or heavy as traditional layered dishes made with pasta. Our two daughters enjoy the mild flavor. —Lisa King, Caledonia, Michigan
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Balsamic-Glazed Beef Skewers

With only five easy-to-double ingredients, these mouthwatering kabobs are one of our favorite recipes. We like them with hot cooked rice and a tossed salad. To prevent wooden skewers from burning, soak them in water for 30 minutes before threading on the meat. —Carole Fraser, Toronto, Ontario
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Chicken & Garlic with Fresh Herbs

The key to this savory chicken is the combination of garlic, fresh rosemary and thyme. I like to serve it with mashed potatoes or crusty Italian bread. —Jan Valdez, Lombard, Illinois
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Skillet Sea Scallops

You'll want to slip this recipe into the front of your last-minute guests file. Pasta and mixed greens nicely complement the tender, citrusy shellfish. —Margaret E. Lowenberg, Kingman, Arizona
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Chicken Sausages with Peppers

Chicken sausage is lower in calories compared to its pork counterpart, but it doesn't skimp on the bold, savory flavors you love. Try it with sweet, crunchy bell peppers for a fast and healthy dinner. —Deborah Schaefer, Durand, Michigan
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Crunchy Oven-Baked Tilapia

This baked tilapia is perfectly crunchy. Dip it in the fresh lime mayo for a burst of bright citrus flavor. —Leslie Palmer, Swampscott, Massachusetts
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In-a-Pinch Chicken & Spinach

I needed a fast supper while babysitting my grandchild. I used what my daughter-in-law had in the fridge and turned it into what’s now one of our favorite chicken and spinach recipes. —Sandra Ellis, Stockbridge, Georgia
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Turkey Curry

I'm always looking for new and interesting ways to use leftover turkey—especially around the holidays. Make this skillet meal as spicy as you'd like by varying the amount of curry powder. —Martha Balser, Cincinnati, Ohio
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Seasoned Tilapia Fillets

If you need a healthy, keep-it-simple solution to dinner tonight, you just found it. This restaurant-quality tilapia fillet recipe relies on spices you're likely to have on hand to deliver big flavor. This is how to make tilapia. —Dana Alexander, Lebanon, Missouri
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Chicken Veggie Skillet

I invented this chicken and veggie dish to use up extra mushrooms and asparagus. My husband suggested I write it down because it's a keeper. —Rebekah Beyer, Sabetha, Kansas
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Stir-Fry Rice Bowl

My meatless version of Korean bibimbap is tasty, pretty and easy to tweak for different spice levels. —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut
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Pepper Steak with Squash

Serve this colorful stir-fry with savory strips of flank steak and plenty of veggies over rice for a satisfying supper that's on the table in less than half an hour. —Gayle Lewis, Yucaipa, California
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Curry Turkey Stir-Fry

Just open the fridge and go to town making this throw-together curry. We prefer turkey, but if you like chicken, shrimp, even bean sprouts and carrots, by all means, add them. —Lauren Rush, Clark, New Jersey
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Mediterranean Tilapia

I recently became a fan of tilapia. The mild taste makes it easy to top with our favorite ingredients. And it’s low in calories and fat. What’s not to love? —Robin Brenneman, Hilliard, Ohio
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Rosemary Garlic Shrimp

Delicate shrimp take on fabulous flavor when simmered in a chicken broth mixed with garlic and ripe olives. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Stuffed-Olive Cod

Visit the olive bar in your supermarket to put a new twist on cod in this simple high-protein, low-fat entree that’s a weeknight lifesaver. — Tria Olsen, Queen Creek, Arizona
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Lemon-Pepper Tilapia with Mushrooms

My husband and I are trying to add more fish and healthy entrees to our diet and this one makes it easy. It comes together in less than 30 minutes, so it's perfect for hectic weeknights. —Donna McDonald, Lake Elsinore, California
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Chicken Sausages with Polenta

I get a kick out of serving this chicken sausage dish—everyone's always on time for dinner when they know it's on the menu. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida
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Salmon with Spinach & White Beans

My husband, Oscar, is a Southerner at heart. This salmon with garlicky beans and spinach won him over at first bite. —Mary Ellen Hofstetter, Brentwood, Tennessee
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Ginger Veggie Brown Rice Pasta

Once I discovered brown rice pasta, I never looked back. Tossed with ginger, bright veggies and rotisserie chicken, it tastes like a deconstructed egg roll! —Tiffany Ihle, Bronx, New York.
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Spicy Turkey Lettuce Wraps

My go-to meal after an evening run is this satisfying turkey wrap with jicama, a potato-like root veggie used in Mexican cooking. —Christie Arp, Blue Ridge, Georgia
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Spiced Salmon

This delicious, moist fish is very quick and easy to prepare. It gets a little sweetness from brown sugar, but overall the seasonings are mild and give this dish broad appeal. It's a wonderful way to enjoy healthy salmon.—Donna Reynolds, Innisfail, Alberta
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Chicken & Goat Cheese Skillet

My husband was completely bowled over by this on-a-whim goat cheese and chicken skillet meal. I can't wait to make it again very soon! —Ericka Barber, Eureka, California
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Garlic-Mushroom Turkey Slices

My daughter is a picky eater, and even she likes this enticing dish! There’s minimal fat, and it’s delicious, easy and affordable for weeknight dining. —Rick Fleishman, Beverly Hills, California
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Grilled Chicken Chopped Salad

Layered desserts always grab my family’s attention, but salads? Not so much. I wondered if I could get everyone on board by presenting a healthy salad in an eye-catching way. I’m happy to say that it worked. —Christine Hadden, Whitman, Massachusetts
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Naked Fish Tacos

This is one of my husband's all-time favorite meals. I've even converted some friends to fish after eating this. I serve it with fresh melon when it's in season to balance the subtle heat of the cabbage mixture. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington
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Tilapia with Citrus Sauce

The lemon, lime and orange sauce adds zest to this flaky, delicate-flavored fish. —Francis Garland, Anniston, Alabama
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Chicken with Fire-Roasted Tomatoes

My skillet chicken with the colors and flavors of Italy is so easy. The fire-roasted tomatoes sound complicated, but all you have to do is open a can! —Margaret Wilson, Sun City, California
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Cod with Bacon & Balsamic Tomatoes

Let's face it, everything really is better with bacon. I fry it, add cod fillets to the pan and finish it all with a big, tomato-y pop. —Maureen McClanahan, St. Louis, Missouri
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Cilantro Lime Shrimp

A quick garlicky lime marinade works magic on these juicy shrimp. They come off the grill with huge flavors perfect for your next cookout. —Melissa Rodriguez, Van Nuys, California
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Crunchy Tuna Salad with Tomatoes

On a hot summer day, there's nothing more refreshing than this salad. I grow a few tomato plants in my garden and the fresh-picked taste makes the dish even more of a treat. —Diane Selich, Vassar, Michigan
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Peppered Tuna Kabobs

When we barbecue, we like to wow our guests, so dogs and burgers are out! We make tuna skewers topped with salsa—the perfect easy recipe. My five kids like to help me put them together. —Jennifer Ingersoll, Herndon, Virginia
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Chicken & Spanish Cauliflower "Rice"

I learned about the paleo diet from some friends who now have tons of energy and are super fit. Since then, I’ve changed my eating habits, too. Everyone from my dad to my little nephew loves this chicken in Spanish cauliflower rice. —Megan Schmoldt, Westminster, Colorado
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Cherry-Chicken Lettuce Wraps

I came up with this amazing recipe when I had a load of cherries on hand. My family polished them off fast, and asked for more. Luckily I had enough fruit to make them again the next day! —Melissa Barlow, Fruit Heights, Utah
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Pepper and Salsa Cod

After tasting a similar dish at the grocery store, my husband figured out how to make this awesome cod topped with salsa and peppers. —Robyn Gallagher, Yorktown, Virginia
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Simple Grilled Steak Fajitas

After moving to a new state with two toddlers in tow, I came up with effortless fajitas. They make an easy weeknight meal on the grill or in a cast-iron skillet. —Shannen Mahoney, Odessa, Missouri
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Garlic Tilapia with Spicy Kale

We make this main dish and side together, and adjust the heat from the red pepper flakes depending on who's at the table. —Tara Cruz, Kersey, Colorado
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Grilled Chicken and Mango Skewers

The inspiration for this recipe came from the charbroiled chicken skewers I used to enjoy while strolling along Calle Ocho in Miami on Sunday afternoons. Feel free to garnish them with sesame seeds or spritz them with fresh lime juice. —Wolfgang Hanau, West Palm Beach, Florida

Up Next: Check out our diabetic-friendly bread recipes.

Peggy Woodward, RDN
Peggy is a Senior Food Editor for Taste of Home. In addition to curating recipes, she writes articles, develops recipes and is our in-house nutrition expert. She studied dietetics at the University of Illinois and completed post-graduate studies at the Medical University of South Carolina to become a registered dietitian nutritionist. Peggy has more than 20 years of experience in the industry. She’s a mom, a foodie and enjoys being active in her rural Wisconsin community.